Struggling as a Villain

Was there a reason for Richard to not utilize his Black Heart? The blessing he received from Zulcriz upon his awakening as his successor?

Well, Richard feared that, like various other Ambrobates, if he succumbed to the limitless powers the Death God had granted him, Richard might not remain himself anymore.

However, now that he has come this far and is about to face off against the strongest General of the four, Richard cannot possibly think of holding back.

"I will be relying on you, Lilia, Emily." Looking at the duo, whose eyes held nothing but apprehension, Richard muttered.

The soldiers from either side have been taken away from the battle zone—Bellarine taking over the command once again and bringing them far from headquarters.

Bennet has yet to recover, but since the Soul Bond he formed with the Priest back on Clion disappeared, the soldier knew that he had fulfilled his promise.

Now all set and prepared, Richard was preparing the ritual to change Rena's loyalty.

Emily and Lilia were given the job of shielding others when the catastrophe descended. Naturally, they agreed and promised to do their all to protect others. However, the anxiety they held for their loved ones prevented them from moving.

"Richard...please tell me, that nothing will happen to you." Lilia held his hand and asked in a shaky voice. Although she knew her Master was strong, the being in question here was second only to the Death God.

Emily added, "You promised to share your feelings honestly....and for that, you have to return, okay?" The blond girl sobbingly said.

Richard heaved a sigh, and with a smile, he said, "When I know I have people waiting for me, I won't even think of risking my life."

After assuring them for a bit longer, Lilia and Emily walked away—taking different sides so they could manage things properly.

Now left with the two Bellas, Richard remained silent for a moment before asking, "You both are not upset right?"

Seeing the tears in their eyes, and the way they were clenching their fists, Richard couldn't help but wonder.

Seriously, Bella resembles her mother too much. Read the latest on empire

"You're throwing yourself into danger again, and you expect me to stay calm about it?" Bellarine uttered, her usual playfulness nowhere to be seen

"Brother...is there nothing I could do to help you?"

Bella asked, her tone and demeanor suggesting the desperate desire to somehow help him, even if that costs her life.

Richard heaved a sigh and told her, "The only person who can help me here is Mom, yet I am not taking her help, you know why?"

The two ladies remained silent, allowing Richard to add, "Because the being we are facing here is the incarnation of evil, who can use any means to win this battle. As such, I want everyone close to me, to remain as far as possible."

Taking a pause, and finishing the ritual circle, he added, "That's all I could ask for."

Bella sniffed, as she said, "If you don't want me to get near you...then don't let yourself get harmed...." With those words, she stepped back and headed in the same direction where Emily had gone.

Left alone with his mother, Richard got up and approached her.

Embracing the woman close to him, Richard attained some much-needed moments of peace. His heart has gone through several stages in these few days without her. He has seen things that shattered his heart, and even now, when he was about to confront the Demon General, he was, naturally, feeling anxious.

That's why the few moments with the woman he loves were enough to calm his nerves.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"Baby...you need a lot of explaining to do...a lot of complaints to listen to ...and a lot of attention you need to pay. However for now," She tiptoed after parting from him and kissed her beloved.

Looking at him in the eye, she said, "Fight to your heart's content and return victorious."

Richard smiled, "I will."

Not so long after, Bellarine also walked away, choosing to stay close to the soldiers from Clion since Bennet hadn't recovered from the last attack.

Richard glanced at Rena, who was in the middle of the ritual circle. Her eyes were closed, and her breathing was faint. Her life energy has drained too much and these few minutes were her last moments in this world.

Richard took a deep breath and began chanting. The air grew heavy, crackling with an unseen energy that pressed against the lungs of any nearby observer. Shadows writhed on the ground like living creatures, responding to the power Richard was about to unleash.

He closed his eyes, his voice steady yet commanding, resonating through the barren battlefield.

"By the will of Zulcriz, Lord of Death, hear me.

The flesh may perish, but the soul bends.

Your essence is mine to command.

Rena, bound by life's fading thread,

Rise anew, with loyalty pledged.

Blood to Aembr, soul to vow—submit."

Richard felt a bit cringed chanting the vow, but that's what he had learned so there was no helping in it.

The moment his words ended, the circle blazed with blinding light, spirals of black and crimson shooting into the sky like howling banshees.

The ground beneath Rena trembled violently, cracks forming as if the earth itself recoiled from the ritual. The air grew colder, frost creeping over the ground despite the hellish glow of the circle.

The cries of the dead violently resonated in the air, making the soldiers panic.

The ground cracked further as Rena levitated into the air. Her eyes clouded by the effect of the ritual, her back arched, and her mouth open wide.

Richard slit his thumb and was about to feed his blood to Rena, to finish the ritual when suddenly, black smog exerted from Rena's body, and a big whirlpool of Aembr began to form in the air.

Richard frowned as he saw the formation of the being who was destined to be slaughtered by Ethan one day.

However, now,

'This will be your end, Demon General Ithryx.'

-------**------

A/N:- Thanks for reading.